Trolley-catcher.



G. bvs/Agno at E. F. WILSON. TROLLEY cAcHsR.

' APPLICA-HON FILED AUG. I6, 19H. Mmmm@ men-ml July 2, 119118.

5 SHEETS-SHFET l.

G. E. WALDO I E. F. WILSON.

l TROLLEY cAIcHEILf APPLICATION FILED AIIG.I6,'I9I1.

I'II Famed July 2, ma;

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

` W IIIIIII I '.'I IIIIIIIIIII! G. LWALDU l(YL-E. I".y WILSN. TROLLEY CATCHER.

APPLICATION man AUG.16.19|1.

EL i, 112W L 11 Div wie? m Trimmed July 2, 1191.. 5 SHEETS--SHIEET 3.

ffii

G. E.IWALD0 I E. F. WILSON.

TROLLEY CATCHER. APPLICATION FILED Aurms, I9I`7.

5 S-HEEI'S-SHEET 4.

Patented .1f Illy 2, 1918.

G. E. WALDO 6; E. F. WILSON.

TROLLEY CATCHER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-16.1917.

I .W I. I Uw. Paf-.med July 2, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

IWIIIIIIIII-um IIIIII III' "IIIIIIII-MIIIIII la! EN *El IH I I Fi I I- M III IIIIIIIIIIIIII I IIIIIIIIIIIII lllulllulnnllmun "ZW-7,7 gm www m: NUR/:1s PETER: co., mfom-Limo.. wAsmwumN, n. c.

Tit@ Frtldhl GEORGE n. WALDO AND EDWARD yrar WInsoN, or CHICAGO, ILDINoIs; SAID WILSON 'assIGNor, To SAID WALDO.

4'IROLiliaY-cafrcnnn.

Specification of Letters Patent.

iiippncatin ined Augut 16, isis'. sei-iai 'Nef 1863648.

To all whom t may/concern: Be it known that We, GnonenE. WAIDO vand EDWARD F. WII.soN, citizens of the United States, and residents of Chicago, in the county of'Coolr and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improve ment in Trolley-Catchers, of Which'the following is a spe'cifi'ca'tion- This invention relatesto trolley catchers, and relates particularly to trolley catchers adapted `for operation by 'means of fluid under Ipressure.

A primary object ofthe invention is to provide an improved kvalve mechanism for controlling the 'admission vo f fluid under pressure to the lcylinder of the trolley catcher. A

A further object of the invention is 'to provide a trolley catcher adaptedfor Operation by fluid under pressure, which will be compact and selfcontained and Whichmay readily be constructed and arranged 'for operating a singletrolleypole or`bothltrolley poles of a car having two trolley poles, as may be desired.

To effect the objects of the invention, our improved trolley catcher comprises the various features, conrbinatioi'is of'features and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which our invention is fully illustrated,

Figure 1 aside elevation of a trolley car equipped With a trolley catcher of our invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sideelevation ofthe motor` of our improved trolley catcher.

' Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal, vertical sectional view of said motor still further enlarged.

Figs. 4C and 5 are sectional views on the lines -i-fl and 5-5, respectively, of FigtB.

Fig. G is an enlarged Sectional view of 'the means or automatic lvalve Which controls the admission of fluid under pressure to the motor cylinder, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a sectional. view of said the lino 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Figs. 8 and,9 are enlarged fragmentary detail sections on the lines 848 and 9 9 of Figs. G and 7, respectively.

Figs. 10,11 and 12 are enlarged sectional views of the auxiliary or hand valve Which `'controls the admission Voffluid under pres valve on sure tothe motor cylinder, showing said valve in diiferent'positions.

Fig. `13fis a side view of the motor of our improved trolley catcher,fillustratin`g moditied means for operating the vent valve "of the main or automatic valve which controls the admission of liuid under pressure to the cylinder ofthe catcher.

Fig. 14er is a top planjview thereof; and Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic end vieW thereof.

In the drawings Wehave'illustrated the application of ourimpioved trolley catcher to cars having two trolley I poles, ivhereby both trolleyA poles may be operated by means of a single trolley catcher, said trolley catcher being constructed and arranged to rpermit either trolley pole to be draivn down into inoperative position andinaintainedin f suchl depressed orf` inoperative position "With-y out 'affecting the oper-ation of the catcher as regards the yother trolley'pole.

. Referring now to the, drawings, "1 de`sig-- i natos the trolley Wire of an overhead trolley system; 2, 2 the trolley poles mounted in any'usual or approved manner at 'opposite ends of the trolley car, designated, asfa Whole, by A.; 3, 3 the trolley `wheels mounted in the ends of said trolley poles, A"and 4, 4 the trolley ropes for operating theltrolley poles 2, Q', respectively.

Our improved trolley catcher isadapted to 'be mounted in any convenient position on the car A, but, as shown, is mounted on "1a platform 5 suspended beneath the bodyof the car, preferably at about the middle thereof, by means of suitable supports rigidly connecting said platform with the under frame of the car.

Uur improved trolley catcher is designed and adapted to be operated bycompressed air o'ifoth'er fluid under pressure, and comprises a cylinder 6, a piston 7 fitted thereto, and a piston rod 8 secured in said piston, having a guide bearing in a sleeve Qsecured to andpreferably formed integral vviththe cylinder head 10, which will bereferred to hereinafter as the front cylinder head.

The trolley ropes 4, 1 are anchored to and are adapted to be wound uponsheaves 11, 11', mounted to rotate freelyona translverse shaft 12 securedin bearings formedin ide Ifo

ing connection between said sheaves and the piston 8, and the trolley ropes e, Ll are wound upon their respective sheaves in such man-' ner that rotation of said sheaves corresponding to movement of the piston 7 under the influence of fluid under pressure admitted tothe cylinder 6, in the designed operation of the machine, will wind said trolley ropes upon said sheaves,fand the lengths of said trolley ropes is such that When the sheaves 11, 11 are in position corresponding to full retraction of the piston 7 the trolley7 poles 2,:2 Will be free to rise to the maximum elevation of the trolley Wire 1 above the road bed.

Y In the preferable construction shown, the driving connection between the piston rod S and the sheaves 11, 11 is as follows: Formed on the piston rod 8 is a rack 11, the teethb ofY which mesh with the teeth of a pinion 15 seeured'to rotate with a shaft 16 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 17 formed on the `supporting frame of the trolley catcher, preferably in a housing 18 provided With a cored openingfada-pted to receive the pinion 15 and which opens laterally into the bore of the sleeve 9 to permit engagement of the teeth of said pinion with the rack teeth 14. To provide for inserting the pinion 15 into the opening in the housing 18, theouter side of said housing is formed by a removable cap 19. Y Rotatably mounted, one at each side of thefpinion 15, are gear Wheels 20 and 20 which are operatively engaged with the shaft 16 Lin Vsuch mannerV that, when the trolley poles 2, 2 are in raised positions, rotation ofsaid shaft through the pinion 15 corresponding to movement of the piston 7 under the influence of fluid under pressure admitted to the'cylinder 6, Will wind the trolley ropese., -t upon the sheaves 11, 11, thus drawingdovvn said trolley poles. The engagement of said gears 20, 20 with the shaft 16 is suoh'also that, when the trolley poles are draWndoWn, rotation of the shaft 16 corresponding to movement of the piston un der the influence of fluid under pressure admitted to the cylinder, will. not affect the gear Wheels 20, 20.

As shown, the means for engaging the lshaft 16 with the gear Wheels 20, 20Y consists of crank arms 21, 21, secured to rotate with the rshaft 16 and which are adapted to engage pins 22, 22 secured in the gear wheels 20, 20', respectively.

As shown, the bearings for the shaft 16 are formed directly in sleeves or elongated hubs 23, 23 on the gears 20, 20, respectively, said sleeves or hubs being also provided on their outer surfaces With bearings which en gage the bearings 17 on the supporting 'frame of the trolley catcher. ln this manner, the shaft 16 and the hubs or sleeves 23, 23 will :mutually support each other against any tipping or tilting stress, thus providing for the use of relatively short bearings 1T on the catcher frame.

The gear wheels 20, 20 intermesh with pinions 2-1, 24: secured to rotate with the sheaves 11, 11 respectively. As shown, said sheaves 11, 11 and pinions 24, 21 are rigidly connected by sleeves or bushings 25, 25', to which said sheaves and pinions are rigidly secured. As shown, the shaft Vl2 is secured in its bearings in the lugs 13, by collars 26, 26 secured to said shaft. between which and the bearing lugs 13 the sleeves or bushings 25, 25 carrying the sheaves 11, 11 and the pinions 2-1, 21', respectively, are confined.

The trolley ropes et, a are maintained tant When the trolley Wheels are in engagement with the trolley Wire and wound upon the sheaves 11, 11 when the trolley poles are drawn down into inoperative positions by suitable tension springs. As shown` said springs consist of fiat spiral springs 27, 27 similar to ordinary clock springs, which. to provide for using relatively short springijs, are applied to the gear wheels 20, 20. the outer ends of said springs, respectively, beingj connected to pins 2S, 2S secured in the i e s of said gear wheels, respectively. and their inner ends to the bearings 1T for the shaft 16 on the machine trame. ln the preferable construction shown, also, iianges 2S. 283 are formed on the gear wheels 20, 20, which surround the springs 27, 27 and form a housing therefor.

Assuming that the positions of the crank arms 21, 2l on the shaft 16 corresponding to full retraction of the piston 7 is that shown in dotted lilies in Fig. 5l, and that the positions of the pins 22, 22 in the gear wheels 20, 20 corresponding to the maxi- 'mum elevation of the trolley poles-that is.

the maximum height of the trolley wire 1 above the road beth-is that indicated at u -in said figure, it is obvious that, the piston 7 being fully retracted, rotation ot the gea r wheels 20, 20, as under the intluence ofthe springs 27, 27, is limited to slightly less than one complete revolutnm, that is, their rotation is limited by contact of the pins 22. 22 with the rear side of the crank arms 21. 21, or to the positions indicated a( a in said Fig. 3.

Obviously, as the trolley poles are lepressed below their maxinnnn elevation. corresponding to the position u of tln` pins 22, 22 in the gear wheels 20, 20', the. tension springs 27, 27 will turn said gear wheehI to wind up the trolley ropes and to maintain them under a desired tensioin say two pounds, which will bring said pins a distance in advance of the crank arms 2l. 2l. so that if the catcher is operated under these conditions, said crank arms will engage said pins with a severe blow, which c each other.' i

will tend to shear or break'said crank arms oli. 'lo obviate this objectionable feature, it is desirable to provide means to maintain the said crank armsl, 2lA at all times in contact with the pins Q2, 22" when the trolley wheels are in enga-gement with the trolley Wire. This .is preterablycli'ected by means of a spring applied to the piston T and adapted` to impart niovei'nentthereto in the saine direction as the movement iin- ]'iarted to said piston by the admission ot" (luid under pressure to the cylinder.

As shown, said springl consists ot' a coiled spring Q9 applied directly to the outer end of the piston rod 8, which reacts between the outer end of the piston rod bearing and a nut or collar 30 secured adjacent to the outer end of an extension 31, of said pistonrod. rlhe operati-ve action et said spring 29 may be readily varied by adjusting the position of the collar 30 on the extension 31 of the piston rod 8.

In our improved trolley catcher of the type adapted for operating both poles ot a trolley car equipped With tivo trolley poles, the pistonl travel and the sizes ot the various pinioiis, gears and sheaves will preferably be so proportioned that the full piston travel will impart rotation to the gears Q0, 20 to move the pins 22, 22 therein from the position c to the position c', that is, substantially through one complete revolution, and such,

also, that such rotation ofsa-id gear wheels` ivill operate to fully retract or draw down said trolley poles trom their positions of maximum elevation to their fully retracted or Withdrawn positions. Forordinary pur'-` poses, a desired piston travel is about siX inches, from which the operativesizes of the various pinions, gears, and sheaves can be readily calculated to provide for taking up desired lengths et the trolley ropes.

Likewise, knowing the 'number of times the travel of the' piston is multiplied, the resistance exerted by the trolley pole springs to drawing dovvn the trolley poles and the available air pressure, the sizeV otcylindcr necessary to generate the power' necessary tov draw dovvn "said trolley polescan be readily calculated; e

The supporting traine of our improved trolley 'catcher' consists of a base plate''iV adapted to be' secured tothe platform 5, :or other support, which is rigidly connectedto the sleeve 9, front cylindin: head f 10' and housingll, by suitable `webs, said parts or elements being preferably cast integral" With Where designed for voperating al single trolley pole, the gear Wheel. 20 maybe se# cured directly to the shaft 16 instead of' through the crank arm 21 and the pin 22.

The rear end ot the cylinder 6 is connected with a source ot supply of fluid under pressure, as'the air tank 35 (Fig. v1) which supiviliesthe coinpressed air "for operating the brakes 01E the car, by means of a service pipe 36'.

` The service lpipe 36 and thus the admissionfot il'uid under pressure to the cylinder Gl is controlled by a suitable valve compris? ing a casing 37 formedV iny which is a bore comprising sections 38 and 39 o f different size, fitted, so as to be movable endwise in which is a plug or plunger likewise coinprisf ing sec-tions 40 and 41 of ditlerent size, rejspectively iitted; to the large and small sections of the bore in thevalve casing.

The valve casing 37 is also provided with a chamber 42 which communicates with the small end 39 of the valve lplug bore, and which is J*in open communication withl the service pipe 3G, said chamber preferably -i'ormiilig a relatively small, axial extension of the valve plug bore.' Formed between the smallfsection 89 of the valve plug bore and the `chamber 4Q, is a valve seat V43,

against which the end of the small section f bore with the cylinder 6. To provide for opening the passageway l5 a desired distanc'ewith: al minimum movement ot the valve plug, a chamber 46 is -formed in the valve "casing" around' the valve plug bore with which the passageway Ll5 communicates directly, and in order that the end of the valve plug and particularly thepacking dislior Washer llfsecured to the end thereof shall not catch on the cornersformed between the valve plug-'bore andthe chamber 46, a bush.- ing L71 is preferably secured in the small section 39? of the valve plug bore, openings t8 beingprovided in said 4bushing to permit the passage oit 4fluid under `pressure from the valve plug bore into the chamber 46 and thence throughthe'passageivay l5 ,intotlie cylinder 6.

To prevent leakage past the falve plug ivhenf the end thereof is raised from the valve seat ytl, a cup packing 49 is provided.

above the hol'esor openings 1r-8f in the bush ing 17. '4 l,

To providefor inserting the valve plug into the valve lplug bore, they outer end of the largesection 38 of said valve plug bore opens through the end of the valve casing and is closed bj a removable cap or plug 50.

v The overalll length ofthe `valve plug made suiliciently shorter `than the over-all length ort the valve plug bore' to permit s chamber 51 past the valve plug, a cup packi ef the The small or inner end ,spring 53 is p length, its outer end extendinginto a' tubunecessary, movement of said valve plug to uncover the holes or openings 48 communicating with the passagewa 45. Thus,wl1en the inner `end of said va ve plug is seated against the; valve seat 43, a spaceor chamber 5l will be formed at the outer end of the valve plug bore, which is connected by means of aby-pass 52 withthe chamber 42, thus providing for the admission of fluid under pressure .into the chamber 51 and, the diameter of the chamber 51 kbeing larger than the diameter of the chamber 42 Vit is obvious that the pressure in said chamber 51 will exert an unbalanced pressure on the valve plug adapted to hold the same closed. Y of the valve plug is adapted to be seated upon the valve `seat 43 when the pressureon said valve plug kis equalized, by means of a spring 53 applied to the outer end of said valve plug. As shown, said spring 53 is a coiled spring which surrounds a pin 54 secured in the end valve plug as a` guide and which reacts against the closed outer end of the valve plug bore. In orderthat the resistance of the spring 53 may be substantially uniform, thus offering a substantially uniform resistancey to the Y movement of the valve plug to open the passageway 45, said preferably made of considerable lareXtension 55` on the .removable cap or plug ,50 which lcloses the open end of the valve plug bore. s Y l 'A Y s To prevent :leakage from the space or ing 56 is preferably used on the large end 40 of the valve plug. Y Y' j VThe chamberl 51v is alsoprovided with a vent passageway 5,7 which is maintained Y normally closed so'long as a. trolley wheel 57 when said lis in engagement with thetrolley wire 1, by suitable means, preferably electrical means inlcircuit with the trolley whee kIn the preferable construction shown, said passageway57 is controlled in the following man-v ner :Mounted on a suitable support adjacent to the valve easing, is an electromag# net 58y which is in electrical circuit with the trolley wheels3; Thus, so long as either of said trolley wheels is in ,contact'with the trolley wire 1, the rmagnet 58 will been'ergized .and will become denergized whenever both of said trolley wheels are disengaged from the trolley wire. Fitted to and Vfreely movable lengthwise in a suitable bearing formed through the core of the magnet is a rod 59 formed on or secured .to the lower end of which isa disk 60 Vwhich is adapted to engagea valve seat 61Vformed around the discharge opening 4of -the vent passageway side of saiddiskbeing preferably recessed and a packin pad 62, of leatherfor the like, being; essere therein, te secure a tight joint rod y is depressed, the under between said vent valve and the valve seat 61. The upper end of the rod 59 projects slightly above its bearing, so that, when the magnet is energized, the armature 63 of the magnet will strike the upper end thereof and will force said rod 59 down, so that the vent valve 60 at the lower end thereof will close the discharge opening of the passage` way 57 and maintain the same closed so long as the magnet is energized. A light coiled spring 64 is applied to the valve rod 59, the strength and adjustment of said spring being such that it will support o1` neutralize the weight of the rod 59 and of the armature 63, when the magnet is denergized. As shown, said spring 64 is confined in a recess 65 formed by an enlargement of the bearing for the rod 59 and reacts between a rigid Shoulder at the bottom of said recess and a collar 66 secured adjacent to the upper end of said rod, said collar being preferably adjustable lengthwise of said rod to provide for varying the resistance of said spring.

As shown, the armature 63 is pivoted to a suitable fixed support and is always maintained in the magnetic eld by a tail piece 67 thereon which is adapted to strike a rigid stop and thus limit the pivotal movement of said armature away from the poles of the magnet.

n With the described construction, it is obvious that7 the service pipe 36 being open to the chamber 42 and the vent valve 60 closed, the chamber 42, the bypass 52, the chamber 5.1 andthe vent passage 57 will all be filled with fluid under pressure, and that, owing to the larger rsize of the section 40 of the valve plug which is exposed in the chamber 51, as compared with the section 41 thereof, an unbalanced pressure will be exerted on said valve plug which will hold the inner end thereof in close engagement with the valve seat 43, whereby fluid under pressure will be prevented from entering the cylinder 6. `It is also obvious that in case the pressure in the chamber 51 is suiiiciently reduced anlunbalanced pressure will be created on the inner end of the valve plug, which will operate to move said valve plug endwise to uncover the holes or openings 48 in the bushing 47v and thus permit fluid under pressure to pass freely from the service pipe to the cylinder, 6,` thereby operating the catcher.

To secure the desired difference in pressure in the chambers 42 and 51 to operate the valve, the vent passage 57 is made sufficiently larger than the by-pass 52 so that the fluid under pressure in the chamber 51 will exhaustv almost instantly to substantially atmospheric pressure when the vent valve 60 is opened.

With an average pressure of say 70 pounds, which is approximately the pres sure available on trolley cars, desired quickness ef operation is obtained with the opera .narines made of any desired size to permit the fluid under pressure `to pass freely through the saine. Seated in suitable bearings formed, as shown, by enlarged sections of said bypass and vent passage, are lbushings (38, 68', which are confined in `their respective .beari ings by scren7 plugs 69, 69. Formed in the bushings 68, G8 are holes or openings ofdifferent sizes which are adapted to connect the sections of .said by-pass and vent passage,

respectively, on different sides of said bushings. As shown, said bushings are provided with. holes 70, 70., Vwhich extend lengthwise ofthe same and are in open and `continuous communication with one section of said bypass and vent opening, respectively. Said bushings are also 4provided with holes or openings 71, 71', which open laterally through the same Vinto the longitudinal holes or openings 470, 7 0. Said holes oropeniiigs 7l, 71 are of different sizes, the holes 71 ranging from about .02 to ..05 of an inch in diameter, and the holes 71 from about .05 'to .1b Aof an inch, and said holes 71, 7l are adapted to be brought into communication with the sectionsof said by-pass and vent passage, other than those iv'ith `ivhich the holes or `openings 70, 70 communicate. As shoivn, there are four each of the holes or openings 7l, 7l. The bushings 68, 68 may be secured in .positions with any one lof the holes 7l, 71 in communication with said bypass and vent passage, respectively, by any suitable means, as shoivn, by pins Q, 7L secured in the `ends of said bushings, which are adapted to engage and which are interchangeable iii holes 73, 73 formed -inithe inner ends ofsaid bearings, .respectively I Obviously, theinagnetS ivillhave to be of sufficient strength when energized, to 'maintain the vent valve 60 closed against the fluid pressure `exerted `thereo-n through the discharge openingof the vent passage 57,' and to provide for using a. magnet of minimum size `andstrength, saidrdischarge opening is made as small as possible,the only .limita tions to its size being that it ,fshall be sufficiently large to produce a fluid pressure on the vent valve" 60 `sufficient .to insure the openingo-f said vent `valve when the `inagnet 58 is denergized, andat least equal in size tothe hole 7l in the Ibushing 68 which connects the sections of said ventpassage at any given time.

Y ln order to yvary the size of the discharge opening from the vent passage .57, to meet the varyingy conditions as tok available fluid .pressure and the like, .the discharge opening of said vent passage 57 is preferably .formed in a nipple 74 secured in position in such manner that it may be readily removed and replaced by another nipple having a discharge opening of diiferentsize, if desired.

In order to render the .entire catcher compact and self-contained, the valve casing 37,

the magnet 58 and the armature 63 are mounted directly on the rear vhead of ithe Vcylinder G, the valve casing being made separate therefrom and bolted or otherwise secured thereto, the magnet 5B1-being mounted en .a bracket 7 5 preferably formed integral f with said cylinder head and the armature (53 lbeing pivot/cd to a lug 7 6., likewise formed integral Vwith said cylinder head.

.As shown, the magnet- '5S is secured in lposition upon the bracket75 by a stud bolti77 which extends through an axial hole or opening in said magnet and .is secured l,in a suitable hole formed in the bracket 7 5 by a clamping nut threaded to the end thereof beneath said bracket, said stud .bolt and magnet being provided with `engaging shoulders, whereby `tightening the clamping nut ion said studbolt will draw said magnet into strong engagement with the 'braclcet`7 5. The Vbearing for the valve stein 59 and the recess for the spring Get are formed directly lin the stud bolt 77.

To avoid creatingan air pressure in the cylinder 6 and also at 'the .inner end of the larger section 4r() of the valve plug byleakage past said valve plug, vent openings 7.8

and 79 are provided, the Ivent 78 connecting the cylinder G with the valve plug .bore and the vent 79 connecting the valve plug bore ivith the outer air. To permit fluid under pressure to Vpass freely from the vent 7S to the vent 79, the outer surface of thesniall section l1 `of the valve plug is recessed or eut out, as shown at 80, for a distancebelovv :the inner end of the larger section Li0 `thereof, the positions of said vents being such .that when the valve is closed, the vent 79 will communicate with the chamber formed by .the cutout portion of the valve plug,`but will be closed by o will be entirely below the cup packing 49 when said valve is open.

fihus, While the vents 7 8 and 79 vvill prevent the accumulation of fluid under pressure in the cylinder G when the main valve `is closed,

Vthe vent `78 will. be closed ivhensaidinain valve open, thereby preventing all loss and `Waste of fluid under pressure through said vent opening during the operation of ythe device. i

In addition to the ina-in controlling valve heretofore described, the service pipeBG is controlled by a second valve or valves, pref erably tivo-Way valves adapted for manual `said trolley catcher,

valves, designated 81, 81,

` ate'the catcher. Under Y:sis

operation, the openings of said valves beingvalve plug and, as the that m kwhen, said valves are turned in one direction to close the Yservice pipe, they will also vent sol positioned (Figs. 10, 11 and 12),

thecylinder L6,' thus rendering the trolley catcher passive and permitting the vtrolley lwheels to be readjusted to the trolley wire in the usual manner without resistance from but by turning said valves in the opposite directions they may be closed without venting the cylinder.

For convenience of operation, two such respectively, are provided, said valves being located, respectively, in separate branches 82, 82 of Ythe service pipe 36. Said branches preferably extend adj acentv to opposite ends of the car, respectively, and the valves 81, 81 therein'Y are preferably located so as to lbe accessible for convenient operation by the conductor or motorman standing on the platforms of the car. In practice, one of saidv valves is usually lkept closed, being turned in proper direction to close the service pipe without venting the cylinder, whereby cutting out the catcher involves merely the closing of the other valve.

VWith the described construction it is obvious that movement of the piston 7 under the'i'nfluence of fluid under pressure admit- Vted to thel cylinder 6 will be adapted to draw down both trolley poles. Ordinarily, however, only one trolley pole is used at a time, the other pole being drawndown and secured substantially fiat against the top of the car, suitable hooks being preferably provided for securing said trolley poles in depressed condition when not in use. yFor purposes of convenient reference, the automatic valve secured Ato the cylinder yhead isy designated"the main valve in the claims, the valves Vv81', 81 cut-out valves, and the valve which controls the vent passage 57 the"vent valve.

' When the cut-out valves 81, 81 are turned in proper direction to close the service pipe and also to vent the cylinder, the spring 53 will force the valve plug inwardly into en- Vgagement with the valve seat L13 and, when said valvesr81,'81, or either of them, are openedtoreset the catcher, Vthe fluid under pressure,- entering the chamber 12, will tend toH open the main valve and thus again oper any conditions, this could bef-avoidedby opening the cut-out `valves, slowly, thus permitting the pressure I' to equalize in thel chambers L12 and 51. The

ob'jectioncan, however, be entirely overcome by'locati'ng the valve seat .413' a sufheient distancey from the holes 4:8, so thatl lifting of the valve plug. will compressrthe Huid in the chamber 51 to equalize the pressure y'on opposite ends of the valve plug before said holes or ports 48 are uncovered by the air pressure iu said chamber 51 increases, the valve plug will be again forced down into engagement with its sea-t 43. lVith the described construction ,it is obviously immaterial whether said valve be opened quickly or slowly.

Any skilled electrician can readily make the necessary electrical connections, insulations, current reductions, etc., for carrying out our invention, and they need not, there.- fore, be shown and described in detail. .f1ttention is, however, called to the fact that in order that the car motors may be shut oil' lwithout affecting the trolley catchers, said electrical connections will comprise a shunt circuit or circuits around the controller or controllers of the motor or motors.

ln Figs. 13 to 15 of the drawings, we have shown a vent valve constructed and arranged for operation by purely mechanical means, as distinguished from the electrical means heretofore described.

Referring to said Figs. 13 to 15, 02 designates the cylinder of the trolley catcher, V112, 113 the sheaves on which the trolley ropes 412 and 43 are wound, respectively, and 371Z the casingof the main valve which controls the service pipe 362, the vent passage of which is controlled by a valve 100 having a valve stem 101 fitted to and movable lengthwise in suitable bearings formed in lugs 102 on the rear head of the cylinder 02.

Said valve 100 is adapted to be maintained normally closed by means of a spring 103 applied thereto and operatively connected with the trolley poles in such manner that the trolley poles will be free to follow gradual variations iu the height of the trolley wire above the track, but sudden upward movement of said poles, as when they leave the trolley wire, will operate to open said vent valve100. As shown, the connection between the trolley poles and said valve is as follows: Mounted in suitable bearings, preferably formed directly on the cylinder 62, and extending lengthwise of said cylinder, is a rock shaft 104, secured to the rear end of which is an arm 105 which is connectedto the stem 101 of said valve 100, said connection consisting, preferably, of a Afork 106 formed in the end of said arm which extends beneath a rigid part of er projection on said valve stem. as shown, a, transverse pin 107 secured in the valve siem 101.

Secured to rotate with the rock shaft 104. one for each-sheave 112, 113, are arms 108. 108', said arms being preferably secured to said rock shaft by set screws or other n'ieans so as to'be adjustable thereon, and secured in fixed position, one adjacent to each aria 108, 108', are arms or supports 100, 100. il shown, said arms 109, 109 are supported on a sleeve 110 rigidly secured in a lug` 111 secured in suitable holes oropenings formed said trolleywire Without turning said arms,

iid?? M190 mounted in, fixed position on the cylinder 62, saidslceve also forming thebcaringffor the rock shaft 104;. Formed in4 the ends ofthe aiinrs 108,108` are eyes112, 1,12, land formed onqthe ai-,nis 109, 109 'are' eyes 113, .113 preferably. 21.11.- rangedgin pairs one4 aptjeach iside .of the eyes 112,112. "Asl shown, tlie, a rnlisf1,09,A 109 are likewise in pairs,` arrangedvone at each side of the arms 108,108,and,fire rigidly7 connected preferably in such. manner a'jsto,`

be adjustable toward and from the arnis 108, 108, so as to p ioiide longerorshorter spaces between said`pairs ofrai'ins 109,` 09,', andthe arms 108, 10S. mounted between said pairsof arms, respectively, This Imay be effected in a simple manneijby rigidly. securing one of each pairs of arms 109, 1109" to the sleeve 110 and providing a,r hole or opening in the other offsaidpairs of arms 109, 109, through which the rockfshaft'lQdc passes freely, and rigidly coniiectingr. the` arms of each pair by means of asuitable adjustable connection. As shown,f said connection consists ofio'ds 111, 111 adjustably in rearward extensions of said ariiis, as by set'screws or the like. i

The arms 109, 109', are seourendinl such, positions that the eyes y113, 113 Ain said arms will be substantially in line withv eachother, being preferably directlyl inline withvthe trolley ropes 412, 4 3, as they leave thesheayes 112, 113, and the arms 10S, 10S are secured to the rockY shaft 101insucli positions that the eyes 112, 112 therein will out oiiliiiev with the eyes 113, 1137in the pairs of arms 109, 109", when the valve 100 closed, the

relation being such that movement o'feitliei"` of the arms 108, 108` to bring the eyes 112,

112 therein into line witlrthe'eyes 11S, 113 in saidiarms 109, 109, will openusaid'valvel 100 andy thus operate the retriever. i

The connection between tlietrolley poles and the ventyalve 100` is throughxth'ejinedium ofthe trolley ropes 4:?, 413 which pass.A through the eyes 113,113 in'thearms 109,.

109 and-between said -eyes through the eyes 112` 112 in the arms 108, 108.

r1`he tension ofthe spring 103 is` sonad-Y justed thatit willlholdfthe,arms108,108 againstmovementdue to the tension ofthe trolley ropeswhen in Iengagement witlr the trolley wire and willy permit said trolley ropes to follow variations in theelevation of butwill permit saidyarms 108,108 to turn when the trolley ropes 12, 13 are suddenly subjected to the i'ulltension'of the trolley pole springs--approXimately` 30 tol 50; poundsas when the trolley wheels run ,oit

from the trolley wire, before the'tension'rof said trolley ropes overcomestlie inertia ot theconnections ybetween the sheaves 112, 113- With thedeseribed construction it, is oli- I viens', thatt thev vent valve., 100, willren in closed as longasaitiolley wheel is in engage nient with; the troll/ley wire,bu t that, when the,trolleylv wheel runs ott from s the trolley wire, the, 3trolley rope attached thereto will ratetolturn thefaini 108,108 through eh) saidrfope passes, vthus imparting cor',A respon dingV-A` rotatiointo the rock shaft-,10,42 andiop,ening, tlieyentivalve 100,l and thus op,-` erstlig tlletlolley.,Catch@- i l Wetlaini gf 1,; ln ar trolleycatclier, the coinbiiiationof a cylinder, a piston fitted theretnna piston rod, secured` in, saidk piston, and'v operative connection between said piston and the trolley pole, j rsaid :connection comprising a ,rack4 on the'j pistonhrod,l ashaft, apinionl `'secured toJrotate,therewith which meshes with the raek, oinsaid piston ind,A a gearwheehdrivr ingconnectionbetween.said pinion shat and saidgeai" wheel constructed and arranged,to permit liinitedrotation of'. said gearJ wheel independently, ofsaid shaft, the relation be,-` ee Such that when -v Said een# Wheel. is in. position ,correSPQnding .toi ,less than.l full ade vanceinentiof thepiston, nioveinentof said` pistoni@ fulriafriwrcenet111iintimoi m= tion, to` said gear wheel, andthe relation beingsuch also that when saidgeaiywheel `is in` jiyos'ition,corresppiiding toZ full advancement of saidpistoii, itv will. bet unaffected by inove nient of, saidfpiston, substantially' as` def scribed. j

2.' In a-trolleycateheig ,the combination of. a. Cylinder, a, ,pistoir ,fitted ,gthereto a ,piston rod [secured in. said, pistoin and operativel connection zbe,tween said .pistonnandxthe trolley pole, said connection comprising` auaclc on the piston., rod, a, shaft, a, pinion secured, ,to rotate therewith ,which meshes with the freekOnisidai iswna1-0ei e een* wheel, driying, connection between.. saidF jiiinionV and .saidl gear `Wheel constructed and arraiiged to,v perinit'j; limited, rotation oil said gear ,wheel independently, of said shaft,

the, .relation being, such, that when said ,gear Wheelv is., in. position corresponding to Aless than full, 4advaircement f of theI piston, move.-

menti of said., piston, to., full adyaucement will inipartV .rotation to .said gear, wiheel,I and .the relation` being such also that when sa gear 4 wheelL is, iii position corresponding tofull adyancenient .of'said pistom it will be.h

unalec'tedA bynnoyementof said pistoin and a tensionsplring, appliedto saidygear wheel, substantially as ,described,v

' lin?,atrolleyQ catcher, the combinin-.ionv

- ed between said rack on the piston rod, a shaft, a pinion secured to rotate therewith which meshes with the rack en said piston rod, a gear wheel mounted to rotate on said pinion shaft, an arm on said shaft and a pin in said gear wheel which projects into the path of travel' of said arin,substantially as described. 4. In a trolley catcher, thecombiiiation of a cylinder, a piston fitted thereto, a piston rod secured in said piston, and operative connection between said piston and the trolley pole, said connection comprising ay rack on the under side of the piston rod, a shaft which extends transversely beneath said piston rod, a pinion secured to rotate with said shaft which meshes with the rack on said piston rod, a gear wheel mounted to rotate on said pinion shaft, an arm on said pinion shaft, a pin in said gearwheel which profjects into the path of travelof said; arm, a

rotatable sheave, and a pinion secured to rotate with said sheave and which meshes with. said gea-r wheel, substantially as described.

5. In a trolley catcher, the combination of a cylinder, a piston fitted thereto, a piston rod secured in said piston, 'and operative connection between said piston and the trolley pole, said connection comprising a'rack on the under side of the piston i'od, a sha-ft which extends transversely beneath said piston rod, a pinion secured to rotate with said shaft which meshes with the rack on said piston rod, a gear wheel mounted to rotate on said pinion shaft, an arm on said pinion shaft, a pin in said gear wheel which projects into the path of travel of said arm, a rotatable sheave located between said gear wheel and the cylinder, and a pinion secured to rota-te with said sheave and which meshes with said gear wheel, substantially as de-l scribed.

6. In a trolley catcher, the combination of a cylinder, va piston fitted thereto, a piston rod secured in said piston, and operative connection between Vsaidv piston andthe trolley pole, said connection comprising a rack on the under side of the'piston rod, a shaft which extends transversely beneath said piston rod, a pinion secured to rotate with said shaft, agear wheelmounted to rotate on said vpinion shaft,

an arm on said pinion shaft, apin in said gear-wheel which travel of said arm, a sheave rotatably mountgear wheel and the cylinder theja'xis of which extends over the piston rod, and a. pinion secured to rotate `with saidsheave and which meshes with said gear wheel,substantiallylas described( g f 7. In a, trolley catcher, the combination vof a motor Vand means forconnectingsaid motor toV two trolley poles and for operatingrsaid poles separately, si'ibstantiallyV as described.

8. VIn a trolley catchenthe-combinationof a cylinder, a piston fitted thereto, and means for connecting said piston with two trolley projects into the path of` poles and for operating said poles separately, substantially as described.

9. In a trolley catcher, the coinbinal ion ol'v a motor, means for connecting said inotor with two trolley poles and for operating` said trolley poles separately, and means for maintaining said connectiiig means under tension7 substantially as described.

l0. In a trolley catcher, the combination of a cylinder, a piston fitted thereto, av piston rod secured in said piston, and operative connections between said piston rod and the trolley poles of a trolley car equipped with two trolley poles, said connections comprising a rack on said piston rod, a shaft. a pinion secured to rotate therewith which meshes with the rack on the pinion shaft. rotatable gear wheels, and means connecting said pinion shaft and gear wheels for rotating said gear wheels sepa 'ately and for permitting said gear wheels to rtate independently of said pinion shaft. substantiallv as described. l i

l1. In a trolley catcher, the combination of `a cylinder, a piston fitted thereto. a piston rod secured in said piston. and operative connections between said piston rod and the trolley poles of a trolley car equipped with two trolley poles, said connections comprising a rack on said piston rod, a shaft, a pinion secured to rotate therewith which meshes with the rack on the piston rod. gear wheels rotatably mounted on said pinion shaft, means connecting said pinion shaft and gear wheels for rotating said gear wheels separately and for permitting said gear wheels to rotate independently of said pinion shaft, and springs applied to said gear wheels for rotating the same, substantially as described,

`12. In a trolley catcher, the combination of a cylinder, a piston fitted thereto, a piston rod secured in said piston, and operative connections between said piston rod and the trolley poles of a trolley car equipped with two trolley poles, said connections comprising a rack on said piston rod, a shaft, a pinion secured to rotate therewith which meshes with the rack on the piston rod, rotatable gear wheels, arms secured to said pinion shaft, pms secured in said gear wheels which respectively project into the paths of travel of different arms on said pinion shaft. substantially as described. Y

13.7In .a trolley catcher, the combination of a cylinder, a piston fitted thereto, a piston rod secured in said piston, and operative connections between said piston rod and the trolley poles of a car having two trolley poles, said connections comprising a rack oh the under side of said piston rod, a shaft which extends transversely beneath said piston rod, a pinion secured to rotate with said shaft and which mesheswith the rack on said piston rod, gear wheels rotatably mounted on said pinion shaft, driving connaartoe nections between said pinion shaft andisaidi gear wheels; constructedand arranged toy pressureadmitted to said@ cylinderis adapted' to separately retract both of said trolleyy poles, said connections comprising a` rack on said piston rod,a: shaft/@fa pinion secured to rotate therewith whichv` meshes: with` the rack on the piston rod, gear wheelsrotyatably mounted onsaid pinionv shaft', driving connections between said pinion shaft and! said gear wheels,` constructed and. arranged to permit rotation oit sa-id-k gear. wheels independently of said pinion shaft, rotatable sheaves, pinionsfsecured to rotate with. said sheaves. respectively, andV which mesh with different gear. wheels, and tension springs appliedto said gearwheels, substantially as described.

l5. Inv a= trolley catcher, thecombination of a cylindenvatpiston fitted thereto, piston rodsecurediinisaidipiston,.and operative connections between saidi pistoni rod and the trolley 'poles :i of: a trolley cary equipped with two trolley. poles,` ,wherebyf movement Aoli said pistonky under the influence. ofi fluidiy under pressure admittedto said cylinder: is adapted to separately;A retract' both of' said trolley poles,.saidiconnections comprising arack on saidapiston rod,- a shaft, a pinionsecuredto rotate therewith: which f meshes with the racli on. the piston:` rod, gear wheels rotatably mounted on. said pinion= shaft, driving connections l between said' pinion shaft andi said gear wheels, constructed and arranged to permit rotatioir ol said. gear wheels independently of said pinioni shaft, rotatable sheaves, npinions securedr to-rotate with said sheaves respectively,A and` which; mesh` with different. gear wheels, tension springs appliedto said gear wheels, anda spring apfplied 1 to fsaid piston adapted. orf advancing the same, substantially: as describedd Y 16.- Ac trolley catcherofthetypefde'scribed, the cylinderV and operativey connections o which are mounted Y on a vframe comprising a supporting base, aacylinderhead, .a sleeve on said cylinderl head,` and 'webs connecting said base with said cylinder: head; and sleeves," substantially asi described.

1-7.' Altrolleyycatcher: ofithe type described the cylinderl and operative` connections'- o whichA are mounted on: a frame comprising` ai supportin'g'base,` cylinder heads, a sleeve on one ot said, cylinder'heads, websconne'cting said base with said'. cylinder head and sleeve, and a main valve and controlling mechanismy therefor mounted: on the other cylinder head', substantially* as described.

L8. lna trolleyl catcher, oil the type de'- scribed,` the'colnbiuation of the cylinder.. a pipet` adapted: for connecting said cylinder with:` a source of' supply of .fluid under pressurea main valveiwhicli controls said sup ply pipe constructed and arranged# to. be opened by' the. fluid` pressure in= said supply pipe, means controlled' by engagement. of the trolley wheel with the trolley Wireormaintaining;- saidv valve. closed, means for reseat ing. said valve when the.- pressure thereonI is relieved, andi ai handl operated valveA which c'ontrolsxsaid.lluidisupply pipe, substantially as described.

19: ln. a, trolley catcher of ther type described.. the combination of the cylinder, af

pipe adapted for connecting said:v cylinder w-,itln ai source of supply of iuid under presf sure, ai main valve which controls said supply pipe constructed and arranged to be opened by the fluid pressure in` said supply pipe, means `controlled by engagementoff the trolleyl wheel, with: the trolley wire formaintaining said valve closed, and means for retarding; the openingl of said; main valve underthefluid pressure` in the supply pipe, substantially asdescribed:` i

20.' In atrolley catcher.` ofthe. type describedtthe combination: of the i cylinder, a pipe adapted for'connecting` said cylinder with a sourceofisupply of'uid under pressure, main valvewhich controlssaidl sup` ply pipe, said= valve comprising ai casing providedV with a valve bore, a-l valve plug fitted to andimovableendw-ise in saidvalve bore,isaid valve bore and valve plug both comprising corresponding sections of dif# ferent' sizes;` said valve casing also being-'pro vided' with a chamber ini which the smaller end of.r said valveplug is lexposed:` and i which communicates witlr the `fluid supply pipe, a passageway which connects said: chamber with theilarger section ofiv saidvalve bore adjacent* to its outer endg-and with a vent passage', avent valvewhich controls said vent passagau andi means controlledl by engagement of"l the trolley wheelf with the trolley wire for maintainingV said vent valve closed, substantially as described.V

21. lln a trolley catcher of the.` type:v de` scribed, the combinationof` the cylinder, a pipe adapted for connecting said` cylinder with a sourceot' supply of fluid underpres sure, a main valve which controls saidi sup-` plyvpipe,.said valve comprising a casing providedwith a valve bore, .a valve plug fitted to and movablelendwise inpsaid valve bore, said valve borev and valverplug` bothi com-` tio prising corresponding sections of different sizes, said valve casing also being provided With'a chamber in which the smaller end of said valve plug is exposed and Which communicates with the fluid supply pipe, a passageway which connects said chamber With the larger section of said valve bore adjacent toits outer end, and With a vent passage, a vent valve which controls said vent passage, and means controlled by engagement of the trolley Wheel With the trolley Wire for maintaining said vent valve closed, said chamber in Whichthe smaller end of said valve plug is exposed forming an extension of and being smaller than the smaller section of said valve bore, and a valve seat at the .end of said valve bore Which surrounds the open end of said chamber, and upon Which the smaller end of the v alve plug is adapted to bear, substantially as described.

V22. In a trolley catcher of' the type described, the combination of the cylinder, a pipe adapted for connecting said cylinder With a` source of supply of fluid under pressure, a main valve Which controls said supply pipe, said valve comprising a casing provided. With a valve bore, a valve plug fitted toand movable endvvise in said valve bore, said valve bore and valve plug both comprising corresponding sections of different sizes, said valve casing also being prol vided With a chamber in which the smaller end of said valve plug is exposed and which communicates vvith` the fluid supply pipe, a passageway which connects said chamber With the larger section of said valve bore adjacent to its outer end, and with a vent passage, a vent valve which controls said vent passage, and means controlled by engagement of the trolley Wheel with the trolley Wire for maintaining said vent valve closed, said chamber in Which the smaller end of said valve plug is exposed forming an extension of said valve bore, and a valve seat at the end of said valve bore which surrounds the open end ofi-said chamber, and upon which the smallerl end of the valve plug Vis adapted to bear, said valve casing being provided With a passageway Which communicates With the cylinder of the catcher and which opens into the valve bore at a distance from the valve seat at the end thereof, substantially as described.

Y 23. In a trolley catcher of the'type described, the combination of the cylinder, a pipe adapted for connecting said cylinder with a source ofsupply of fluid under pressure, a mainvalve which controls said supplypipe, said valve comprising a casing provided With a valve bore, a valve plug fittedto and movable endvvise in said valve bore', said valve bore and valve plug both comprising corresponding sections ofA differentjsizes, said valve casing also being provided with a chamber in Which the smaller end of said valve plug is exposed and which communicates with the fluid supply pipe, a passageway which connects said chamber With the larger section of said valve bore adjacent to its outer end, and with a vent passage, a vent valve which controls said vent passage, means controlled by eugagement of the trolley Wheel with the trolley Wire for maintaining said vent valve closed, and a spring applied to said valve plug adapted for reseating thc same, substantially as described.

24C. In a trolley catcher of the type described, the combination of the cylinder, a pipe adapted for connecting said cylinder With a source of supply of fluid under pressure, a main valve which controls said supply pipe, said valve comprising a casing provided with a valve bore, a valve plug fitted to and movable endvvise in said valve bore, said valve bore and valve plug both comprising corresponding sections of dil'- ferent sizes, said valve casing also being provided With a chamber iu which the smaller end of said valve plug is exposed and which communicates with the fluid supply pipe, a passageway which connects said chamber with the larger section ot said valve bore adjacent to its outer end, and with a vent passage, a vent valve which controls said vent passage, and electrical means controlled by engagement of the trolley wheel with the trolley Wire for closing said vent valve and for maintaining same closed, substantially as described.

25. In a trolley catcher of the type described, the combination of the c linder, a pipe adapted for connecting sai cylinder With a source of supply of fluid -under pressure, a main valve which controls said supply pipe, said valve comprising a casing provided with a valve bore, a valve plug fitted to and movable endWisc in said valve bore, s aid valve bore and valve plug both comprising corresponding sections of different sizes, said valve casing bein@` also provided With a chamber in Whici the smaller end of said valve plug is exposed and Which communicates with the fluid supply pipe, a passageway which connects said chamber With the larger section of said valve bore adjacent te its outer end, and with a vent passage, a vent valve Which controls said vent passage, means for varying the operative sizes of said supply and vent passages of said chamber, and means controlled by engagement of the trolley wheel with the trolley Wire for maintaining said vent valve closed, substantially as described.

26. In a trolley catcher of the type described, the combination of the cylinder, a pipe adapted for. connecting said cylinder with a source of supply of fluid under pressure, a main valve which controls said supply pipe, said valve comprising a casing provided With a valve bore, a valve plug fitted to and movable endwise in said bore, said valve bore and valve plug both comprising corresponding sections of diiierent sizes, said valve casing being also provided with a chamber in Which the smaller end oi said valve plug is exposed and which communicates With the fluid supply pipe, a passageway Which connects said chamber with the larger section of said valve bore adjacent to its outer end, and With a vent passage, means for varying the operative sizes of said supply and vent passages, either or both, said means comprising bushings seated in enlarged sections of said passagevvays, respectively, provided with holes of dilerent sizes adapted to be brought into communication with the sections of said passagevvays at different sides of said bushings by varying the positions of said bushings in their respective seats and means Jfor securing said bushings lin diiierent positions in their seats, and means controlled by engagement of the trolley Wheel with the trolley Wire for maintaining said vent valve closed, substantially as described.

27. ln a trolley catcher of the type de- Coplen et thin patent may bc Ill.;

scribed, the combination of the cylinder, a pipe adapted for connecting said cylinder With a source of supply of fluid under pressure, a main valve Which controls said su J- ply pipe constructed and arranged to e held closed by fluid pressure in a chamber formed in said valve casing, provided With a passageway by Which it communicates With the supply pipe and With a vent passage, a vent valve Which controls said vent passage, and electrical means for maintaining said valve closed, said means comprising an electromagnet in circuit With the trolley Wheel the core of Which is provided With an axial bore, a stem on said vent valve Which extends through and is slidably fitted to the bore in the core of the magnet, Whereby, when the magnet is energized, the armature thereof Will strike the projecting end of said valve stem and Will close said valve and maintain the same closed, substantially as described.

ln testimony that We claim the foregoing as our invention, We affix our signatures this 13th day of August, A. D. 1917.

GEO. E. WALDO. EDWARD FAY WlLSON.

obtained for lve cents nach, by addressing the Commissioner nl @atenta Washington, H. n. 

